Who Is Kevin Costner's Ex-Wife? All About Christine Baumgartner

Kevin Costner's 18-year marriage to Christine Baumgartner is over.

She filed for divorce from the Yellowstone star, citing "irreconcilable differences," on May 1, 2023. After a contentious legal battle, they finalized their divorce in February 2024.

Baumgartner is currently dating financier Josh Connor. He is a longtime friend and former neighbor of the now-divorced couple.

Here's everything to know about Kevin Costner's ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner.

She is a handbag designer

Baumgartner designs handbags under the label Cat Bag Couture, which are available in boutiques.

She explained to the Denver Post in 2005 how her journey to becoming a handbag designer began. "When I came up with some samples, I showed them to Kevin, and he said they were beautiful and amazing," she recalled. "He told me I should take it to the next step and he'd help me. I've always loved fashion and style, and if you can mix it with function, it's perfect."

She met Costner while he was filming Tin Cup

Costner was still married to his first wife, Cindy Silva, when he originally met Baumgartner. The two crossed paths on a golf course where Costner was rehearsing for his 1996 romantic comedy Tin Cup.

After Costner and Silva divorced in 1994, he briefly dated and had a child with Bridget Rooney. In 1998, following his break up with Rooney, Costner ran into Baumgartner at a restaurant and the two began dating soon after.

She married Costner in 2004

Baumgartner's 2004 wedding to Costner was a storybook affair. The ceremony took place on Costner's 160-acre ranch, The Dunbar, in Aspen. The actor arrived in a horse-drawn carriage while Baumgartner came to the ceremony in a green vintage truck, PEOPLE reported.

The Dunbar, named after Costner's Dances with Wolves character, is still owned by Costner and is now available as a private wedding venue.

She lived with Costner in Santa Barbara

Despite having strong roots in Colorado, where Costner owns a 160-acre ranch, Baumgartner lived with Costner and their children in Santa Barbara, California, during their marriage.

Following Baumgartner's divorce filing in May 2023, TMZ reported that she was unwilling to vacate the home she shared with Costner. This was despite the 30-day deadline noted in their prenuptial agreement and the actor's offer to give her $10,000 to cover moving expenses and another $30,000 per month for a rental home.

In July 2023, a judge ordered Baumgartner to vacate Costner's California compound by the end of the month. The judge also prohibited her from removing "items of property including, but not limited to, furniture, furnishings, appliances, and artwork."

A source told PEOPLE that Costner "was relieved" after hearing the ruling. Weeks later, moving trucks were seen leaving the $145 million Santa Barbara home.

Soon after, another source reported that Baumgartner was "happy" to be out of the house. “Christine hopes there will be less drama now,” the insider told PEOPLE.

She almost broke up with Costner after six years together

Despite the nearly 20-year age difference, Baumgartner was upfront with Costner about wanting to start a family. Costner revealed to Extra that on day one of their relationship, Baumgartner told him, "If you're going to be with me, you need to know that kids are at the end of the road for me with you, if that's going to happen."

The pair dated for six years before Baumgartner gave Costner an ultimatum. "Finally, there came a moment where, maybe this doesn't go forward," Costner said before he decided "I'm not going to lose her because I'm afraid."

She has three children with Costner

Three years after tying the knot with Costner, Baumgartner gave birth to son Cayden Wyatt, followed by son Hayes Logan and daughter Grace Avery. The family walked the red carpet to support Costner at his The Art of Racing in the Rain premiere in 2019.

Baumgartner is also a stepmom to Costner's children from previous relationships: Liam, whose mother is Rooney, and Joe, Lily and Annie from his marriage to Silva.

She filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023

After 18 years together, Baumgartner and Costner revealed they were going their separate ways after the mom of three filed for divorce on May 1, 2023.

"It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action," Costner's representative said in a statement to PEOPLE. "We ask that his, Christine's, and their children's privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time."

Costner filed his response a day later, requesting joint custody of the pair's children.

"It was not anything that [Costner] wanted or sought, and if he could change the situation, he would," a source told PEOPLE just days after the divorce was made public.

Since filing for divorce, Baumgartner has decided to challenge the couple's prenup. By doing so, she may need to forfeit her $1.5 million divorce settlement.

Costner then requested that Baumgartner pay him $99,225 in legal fees. The former couple's prenup stated that if either party retained counsel to "enforce or prevent a breach" of the agreement, "the prevailing party ... shall be entitled ... to be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for all costs and expenses incurred thereby."

Baumgartner's lawyers later asked the court to deny Costner's request, calling it “unreasonable.”

They eventually settled their divorce in September 2023, with a rep for Costner saying in a joint statement from the former couple, "Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings."

Their marriage was officially terminated on Feb. 16, 2024.

She requested Costner pay $248,000 a month in child support

In June 2023, it was revealed that Baumgartner requested $248,000 per month in child support for all three of the couple's children. Costner originally proposed to pay $38,000 a month in child support, in addition to “100% of certain child-related costs," including private school tuition and health insurance.

In the filing, Baumgartner alleged that the figure "is less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle."

Soon after the filing, a source told PEOPLE that Costner “wants to hold on to as much as he can” amid his divorce.

In July 2023, a judge ordered that Costner make monthly payments of $129,755 in child support for the foreseeable future. The next month, Baumgartner requested $175,057 per month in child support, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

During a two-day child support hearing in September 2023, Costner was ordered to pay Baumgartner $63,209 per month, effectively settling the matter.

Costner believes she was "planning her exit" long before filing for divorce

Costner and his team believe that Baumgartner was planning to leave the Yellowstone actor long before she filed for divorce. Months prior to the couple's split, she allegedly took cash advances on credit cards issued to her staff and she purchased a new vehicle.

"Months before separation, although the parties had always leased their automobiles, without [Costner's] knowledge or consent, [Christine] bought an expensive vehicle for her personal use (probably because the [prenuptial agreement] allows her to take that vehicle with her)," a court filing read. "Thus, it appears that [Christine] had been planning her exit long before she told [Costner] in April 2023."

She is dating financier Josh Connor

Baumgartner has a new beau, financier Josh Connor. The couple were first spotted together in Hawaii — just two months after the mom of three filed for divorce from Costner.

“Josh was initially just a friend,” a close friend of Baumgartner's told PEOPLE. "She likes hanging out with him. He is a divorced dad and understands what she’s been going through."